Lesson 21

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be concerned about = be worried about

Aren't you concerned about the world population?

A: I am concerned about Jenny.

B: Me, too. She hasn't come to work for three days.

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break down = stop working (for a machine)

The bus broke down at the side of the road.

When the car broke down, they had to get out and walk.

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get stuck = be unable to move

He got stuck in the mud.

I got stuck on the third problem, so I couldn't finish the homework.

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have nothing to do with = not be related to; have no connection to

Stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you!

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look on A as B = think A as

He looks on his brother as a role model.

The class looks on the teacher as a friend.

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put away = put in a safe place; hide or store

A: Are those the gifts for Matt's party?

B: Yeah. I have to put them away before he gets home.

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relieve A of B = take B from A

The teacher relieved him of his pocket knife.

Those books look heavy. Let me relieve you of some of them.

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take for granted = assume; expect

A: Why are you taking your umbrella?

B: I don't take it for granted that it will stay sunny.

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to say nothing of = not to mention; need not describe because it is obvious

Their coffee is delicious, to say nothing of their cakes!

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trade in = exchange for another (usually for a better or newer one)

I want to trade in my motorcycle for a faster one.

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In college, I still lived with my parents, but I had a job. I could pay for a lot of my own expenses. Because of this, my parents were able to put away some of their own money in the bank. After a little while, they had enough to buy a new car.

My parents traded in their old car and got a new luxury car! The new car had a beautiful interior, to say nothing of its sound system! My parents loved that car.

I had my own car, but it was old and often broke down. Sometimes I had to borrow my parents' car.

One time I borrowed the car and brought it back late. I got stuck in a traffic jam because of an accident between a car and a truck. I didn't get home until almost midnight. I took it for granted that my parents would be asleep. However, my mother was waiting for me when I got home! She relieved me of the car keys with a serious look on her face. I told her, "Mom, you have to look on me as an adult now. You don't have to wait up for me."

My mother told me that her waiting up had nothing to do with me. She was concerned about the car and couldn't sleep!

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